Japanese festival beckons Hong Kong talent

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale is one of the largest international outdoor art festivals in the world and now Hong Kong artists and creative designers have an opportunity to win a commission to be part of it.

Held every three years in the Echigo-Tsumari region of Japan’s Nigata Prefecture, the festival attracts art installations from around the world which aim to rebuild the relationship between mankind and nature through artistic appreciation. For many than 20 years, artworks by world-renowned contemporary artists such as Marina Abramovic, Christian Boltanski, Leandro Erlich, Yayoi Kusama, Jimmy Liao and James Turrell have been installed in the breathtakingly natural fields of the region, creating a perfect pilgrimage for art lovers.

Hong Kong’s Art Promotion Office (APO) has collaborated with the Triennale organisers to create Hong Kong House as a showcase of Hong Kong art talents and a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. It is now inviting Hong Kong artists and cross- disciplinary creative talents to submit artwork proposals for the Hong Kong House project in the lead-up to the next Echigo-Tsumari festival in 2021.

The APO says it is looking for “Hong Kong artists and creative talents to showcase outstanding works through this international arts platform and to bring exceptional works to global audiences.” Three artists or art groups will be commissioned for the artist-in-residence programme, to create and exhibit their artworks in Hong Kong House in 2021, 2022 or 2023 respectively. Proposals will be assessed on four key criteria: creativity and elements to interact with other cross disciplinary media; past work; resonance with the festival theme and experience in exhibition production.

The deadline to submit proposals is June 30. For more information go to: www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/APO/en_US/web/apo/apo_main.html, Email the APO at: apo@lcsd.gov.hk or call (852) 2512 3018, 2512 3019 or 2512 3020. For more information about the festival, check out the official website www.echigo-tsumari.jp/en/